Social Structure and Interaction
Macro V. Microsociology Macro: Focuses on broad Features of society Examples? Micro: Examines Social Interaction Examples?
Macrosociology Social Structure: Typical patterns of a group fWphE0 fWphE0 What Patterns did you see? Why was the leader angry?
Social Status Is your social ranking Ascribed Status: Involuntary Achieved Status: Voluntary Master Status: consistent across all statuses Activity: With a partner think of a famous person who has these statuses. DO NOT TELL ANYONE! The class will guess who this person is!
Social Intuitions The ways by which society meets its basic needs What are some examples of this? Does these institutions provide for the community or for themselves?
Functionalist Perspective Every society has social intuitions 5 Social intuitions a society must have to survive 1. Must replace members 2. Socialize new members 3. Produce and distribute resources 4. Preserve order 5. Purpose
Conflict Perspective Social intuitions exist but they do not work for the common good Ex: The One percent
Marco Activity You and a partner will create your own society and present it to the class. Create society It must contain: The 5 necessary intuitions A Dark underbelly What is this society or a part of this society really trying to do. Creativity
Microsociology: The Game of Life Looks at society at the smallest scale At least 2 people Society gives shape and limits How do you deal with social rules that guide you? How do you use them to your advantage? What do you do when you encounter someone who does not play by the same rules?
Sociology and Psychology In order to study society on a small scale a sociologists must also understand psychology Groups of people are predictable Individuals are not
Social Facts Aggregate fact: a summary of a fact about a number of smaller things Examples? How do these examples affect you life?
The Rule Continuum Structure Culture Structure :Hard Rules Ex: Money Culture: Soft Rules Ex: Fashion
The Cultural Tool Kit (your survival guide) The cultural knowledge you keep in your head Used in different social contexts Teacher/Rugby Player Code Switching: adapting to different social contexts
Societies Paradox You can choose how to behave, but your background provides your familiar behaviors and future choices When you think about who you are what are you really thinking? How your similar to and different from everyone else
Choice: How do we make decisions? Rational Choice Everyone tries to rationalize their choices Examples? Online match making!
Irrational Decisions Sub-Optimal choices Finding a girl friend Deliberately make irrational decisions Gambling Emotion Food Altruism (Generosity) Example?
Social Frames: Erving Goffman Social Frame: peoples interpretation of a given interaction How can I use this to my advantage? Cheat information Asking for money Donations Others?